Winter--to Sorn or not to Sorn ?

[Chris51]

I am thinking of sorning the MH after tax runs out end of Dec for 4 months until May. I have not in the past as I give it a good run every 2/3 weeks .I shall keep all batteries charged up and ventilate it. Anyone else sorn thiers ?

 

[Clickem]

I have SORNed ours occasionally, perhaps twice over the winter, as I do like to give it a run every 4 weeks or so

 

[Rapido925M]

Tax costs me £260pa (approx) so that is £5pw or 70p per day.

IF my car breaks down I can jump in the van and do whatever is needed: doctors visit, shopping, help out kids with problems. Worth 70p for peace of mind!

And if we fancy a run down to the coast, the pleasure of sitting with the heating on, making fresh tea etc is much greater than walking from the car to a cafe and forking out £1.50 per cup and being expected to leave as soon as we've finished, with other visitors letting out the warm air when they come and go.

Gordon

 

[Sheddy]

Check with your insurance provider if the cover is maintained when the vehicle is Sorned.

 

[robnchris]

Check with your insurance provider if the cover is maintained when the vehicle is Sorned.

Why would it not be insured whilst being sorned?

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[Theonlysue]

Because your changing the terms that the policy was issued.

 

[two]

Why would it not be insured whilst being sorned?

because the saving on insurance is likely to be greater than the tax - so you cancel that, too.

 

[Mikey RV]

Just use it, even in the winter it’s nice to get away.

 

[mikeandmary]

Our last outing was end of October into November and it was wet and muddy at Carsington Water site. Weather hasn’t improved much since so, back into storage until early next year, maybe April, May time. No point us paying DVLA upwards of £92 road tax when not in use and the £132 cheque received off them will be better in my bank than theirs. (Vehicle was taxed to end May 2020). Incidentally, we sorn every year anyway, preferring not to use over winter period. I remove starter and leisure batteries and smart charge them at home during this time which helps to keep them in tip top condition. I do visit storage site with starter battery every month or so and drive the vehicle around the compound to keep engine and gearbox lubricated.

 

[busby]

because the saving on insurance is likely to be greater than the tax - so you cancel that, too.

And keep your fingers crossed hoping it wont get stolen or catch fire..BUSBY.??

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[busby]

Our last outing was end of October into November and it was wet and muddy at Carsington Water site. Weather hasn’t improved much since so, back into storage until early next year, maybe April, May time. No point us paying DVLA upwards of £92 road tax when not in use and the £132 cheque received off them will be better in my bank than theirs. (Vehicle was taxed to end May 2020). Incidentally, we sorn every year anyway, preferring not to use over winter period. I remove starter and leisure batteries and smart charge them at home during this time which helps to keep them in tip top condition. I do visit storage site with starter battery every month or so and drive the vehicle around the compound to keep engine and gearbox lubricated.

Unless you can bring engine temp up to normal temp
quickly would imagine that does more harm than good..I take mine for a 15 mile drive at least every three weeks.
BUSBY.

 

[PeteH]

Our last outing was end of October into November and it was wet and muddy at Carsington Water site. Weather hasn’t improved much since so, back into storage until early next year, maybe April, May time. No point us paying DVLA upwards of £92 road tax when not in use and the £132 cheque received off them will be better in my bank than theirs. (Vehicle was taxed to end May 2020). Incidentally, we sorn every year anyway, preferring not to use over winter period. I remove starter and leisure batteries and smart charge them at home during this time which helps to keep them in tip top condition. I do visit storage site with starter battery every month or so and drive the vehicle around the compound to keep engine and gearbox lubricated.

I have looked into so doing, even though my "tax" is just over £165. In the end I decided that It was better for the Motorhome to be used. Driving around the "compound" would likely not get the engine and transmission etc; up the full temperature, and likely create a form of white sludge on the moving parts being composed of primarily water, from vapour, in the Oil, which accelerates corrosion. Also, technically, because the compound is actually open to "members of the public" it IS still regarded as part of the highway, (Like a campsite is in law). So theoretically driving it without tax would be an offence. We take ours to the Supermarket on odd occasions, or to the Beach and walk the dog, In winter often Parking restrictions are more lax. and more places are available. We have used it in the past to attend concerts, and stay over rather than have to drive back too. It is my view that vehicles used deteriorate less quickly that those laid up. OK, you have to be prepared to power wash salt of at times. But that would be any other vehicle in winter use too.

 

[robnchris]

because the saving on insurance is likely to be greater than the tax - so you cancel that, too.

Never heard of an insurance company giving a lesser quote for part of a term of insurance because you don't drive the vehicle. Certainly my classic and vintage motorcycles cost the same wether I keep them in my workshop not ridden or ride them everyday.

 

[robnchris]

Because your changing the terms that the policy was issued.

Just wondering if you posted this in reply to my post, insuring a vehicle has nothing to do wether it's taxed or not, you insure your vehicle then you apply for a road fund licence, you can't apply for road tax without first having it insured.
You can keep a vehicle on your driveway without a road fund licence, you only insure it whilst being sorned to protect your investment, ie. theft.

 

[TerryL]

SORN it by all means, but just ventilating and charging the batteries is not enough if you want to avoid more expensive problems, caused by non-use. Do you intend to chock it up with the wheels off to protect the tyres/suspension? How about properly protecting the engine if you're not going to run it - and someone has already said just running it up for half an hour is bad for an engine. Ask any reputable motorhome engineer, and we have a good one on the forum, what they prefer to service.

IMO I'd rather (and do) use it, even for only a day every couple of weeks rather than "save" £150 of road fund licence. And there is absolutely no way I'd leave it uninsured - I saved up for a very long time to buy it!

Your decision though.

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[Winger]

I tax by direct debit so I can tax or untax in minutes online if I so choose

 

[Lenny HB]

starter battery every month or so and drive the vehicle around the compound to keep engine and gearbox lubricated.

That will do more harm than good you need to take it out on the road to get it fully up to operating temperature and drive it for 15-20 miles.

 

[Madcaravanner]

I am thinking of sorning the MH after tax runs out end of Dec for 4 months until May. I have not in the past as I give it a good run every 2/3 weeks .I shall keep all batteries charged up and ventilate it. Anyone else sorn thiers ?

Nope
Already got outing planned starting 2nd January
anyway with my Vehicle Excise Duty it's just more hassle than it's worth

EDIT
Ought to say my VED is £0 for the motorhome as I am entitled to Disabled classification

 

[mikeandmary]

All comments about little or no use make sense when vehicle is laid up for a few months. Unfortunately, my SORNED vehicle is on a storage compound so cannot be driven on public roads, which is why I choose to drive around the compound every month or so, not ideal but the engine does get up to temperature. Do I really need to drive 15 or 20 miles on public roads to do the same job?

 

[Lenny HB]

All comments about little or no use make sense when vehicle is laid up for a few months. Unfortunately, my SORNED vehicle is on a storage compound so cannot be driven on public roads, which is why I choose to drive around the compound every month or so, not ideal but the engine does get up to temperature. Do I really need to drive 15 or 20 miles on public roads to do the same job?

Yes, I doubt if it gets fully up to operating temperature. The temperature guage may indicate it's up to temperature but engine and gearbox will not really be fully up to running temperature.

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[busby]

All comments about little or no use make sense when vehicle is laid up for a few months. Unfortunately, my SORNED vehicle is on a storage compound so cannot be driven on public roads, which is why I choose to drive around the compound every month or so, not ideal but the engine does get up to temperature. Do I really need to drive 15 or 20 miles on public roads to do the same job?

Yes,,,BUSBY.

 

[Speve]

I tax by direct debit so I can tax or untax in minutes online if I so choose

Like everyone else then??

 

[Beemobile]

I have always sorned over winter, but saying that my van is in my back yard so I can move wheels regularly and get engine warmed up, I can also keep an eye out for mice but have been lucky not to have had them.
The insurance is kept up, if sorned before tax runs out then it is returned if any full months remain. I keep an eye on leisure batteries and charge if low, I do not keep on trickle charge. It's never been a problem.

 

[busby]

I have always sorned over winter, but saying that my van is in my back yard so I can move wheels regularly and get engine warmed up, I can also keep an eye out for mice but have been lucky not to have had them.
The insurance is kept up, if sorned before tax runs out then it is returned if any full months remain. I keep an eye on leisure batteries and charge if low, I do not keep on trickle charge. It's never been a problem.

Warming engine up without driving it will do more harm than good..It takes too long and all that cold oil is being pumped around a cold engine for too long.You would do less harm not starting it at all.BUSBY.

 

[Beemobile]

Warming engine up without driving it will do more harm than good..It takes too long and all that cold oil is being pumped around a cold engine for too long.You would do less harm not starting it at all.BUSBY.

Ah, in other words better to use it all year round if at all possible, sometimes choices are in short supply and many are caught up in this scenario.

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[Richard n Ann]

Sorn ours every winter. Got a nice £100 cheque back this year. It sits in the garage between 4 and 6 months every winter handbrake off, unused, unstarted and untouched except for optimate battery maintainers.

Come April it starts on the button ? never had any problems with reliability or tyres. It's halfway through it's 6th sorn at the minute. ?

 

[busby]

Sorn ours every winter. Got a nice £100 cheque back this year. It sits in the garage between 4 and 6 months every winter handbrake off, unused, unstarted and untouched except for optimate battery maintainers.

Come April it starts on the button ? never had any problems with reliability or tyres. It's halfway through it's 6th sorn at the minute. ?

Let's hope its still going strong at 20 years old like mine and many others that are driven most of the year..Much better if you are lucky enough to have a nice dry warm garage to store it in like yourselves. BUSBY.

 

[busby]

Ah, in other words better to use it all year round if at all possible, sometimes choices are in short supply and many are caught up in this scenario.

 

[busby]

If you can't give it a decent run you are better not starting it at all. BUSBY.

 

[Coolcats]

Warming engine up without driving it will do more harm than good..It takes too long and all that cold oil is being pumped around a cold engine for too long.You would do less harm not starting it at all.BUSBY.

Rubbish, my track/road car cannot be driven unless the engine temperature reaches 40 degrees even then it is best to leave it until 70 degrees. Modern oils really do protect the engine. How many people just start thier cars and jack off down the road before the engine gets warm! And the latter is more likely to cause some mechanical wear.

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